Shorecrest Launches Center for Medical Sciences
Source/Author: Rachel Barrett, Director of Marketing and Communications
September 05, 2016
Shorecrest Preparatory School announces the creation of The Peck Center for Medical Sciences at Shorecrest, an in-depth applied sciences academic track for high school students. Through extensive coursework, laboratories with specialized equipment, guest experts, field experiences and student-directed projects, Shorecrest students in the Center for Medical Sciences will gain exposure to and expertise in a wide range of topics in applied medical science.
Lisa Peck, Upper School Science Teacher and Director of the Center for Medical Sciences, championed the creation of the program. “A growing number of our students are showing interest in medicine earlier and earlier,” says Peck. “Our goal through the program is to expose students to multiple facets of medical science - not just becoming a doctor or nurse - but also introducing them to interdisciplinary topics in genetics, prosthetics, physical therapy, bioethics, etc., so that they have some foundational knowledge of topics and career options as they move on to college and consider career goals.”
Shorecrest also offers Upper School students the opportunity to participate in the Pre-med Club, an extracurricular club open to all 9th-12th grade students who have an interest in medical science. The club has no pre-requisites and allows students to gain broad exposure to topics studied in greater depth through the Center for Medical Sciences track.
“What’s especially meaningful about this program is its experiential nature,” says Shorecrest Head of Upper School Tom Dillow. “This real-world application of classroom learning gives students the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need in college and in life, whether or not they decide to pursue a future in the medical field.”
In its inaugural year, the 2016-17 academic year, the Center for Medical Sciences is open to Shorecrest upperclassmen.
The Center for Medical Sciences track is the latest of a number of signature academic programs offered at Shorecrest. For example, Shorecrest high school students may pursue the Global Scholars Initiative international studies track, choose from more than 20 Advanced Placement courses, pursue online coursework, or any combination of classes and programs best suited for the individual student.
